UK

EASA certification of R66 now expected September 2011

EASA certification of R66 now expected September 2011

27-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Following FAA type certification for the Robinson R66 in October 2010, it was initially thought that EASA certification would follow in the May/June 2011 timeframe.  With the end of May upon us, HeliHub.com has been speaking with Robinson Helicopter Co and others to get the latest update.  As a result, we are able to report... Read more

INAER adds another six GrandNew and a AW139

INAER adds another six GrandNew and a AW139

25-May-2011Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that INAER, the leading European helicopter services provider, has signed contracts for two EMS-configured GrandNew light twin helicopters and four GrandNew light twin and one AW139 medium twin helicopters for offshore transport. These contracts mark the entrance of the GrandNew into the European EMS and offshore transport... Read more

Midlands Air Ambulance celebrates 20th birthday

Midlands Air Ambulance celebrates 20th birthday

24-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Last Saturday Midlands Air Ambulance held its 20th anniversary ball at the Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium, with one of their Eurocopter EC135s on hand to anchor the event. About 250 guests, including people who have been airlifted, attended.  The service, which operates three EC135s from bases at Cosford, Strensham and Tatenhill, needs to raise £6m... Read more

British Army Apache fires first Hellfire missile at sea

British Army Apache fires first Hellfire missile at sea

18-May-2011Source: Royal Navy

British Army Apaches have fired Hellfire missiles for the first time whilst flying from a Royal Navy warship. A significant milestone in proving the capability of Apache to operate and strike from the sea, 30mm cannon and Hellfire missiles were successfully fired against seaborne targets in a long-planned exercise near Gibraltar. In total, 550 rounds... Read more

Offshore helicopter safety progress headlines Oil & Gas UK seminar

Offshore helicopter safety progress headlines Oil & Gas UK seminar

18-May-2011Source: Oil & Gas UK

Oil & Gas UK is to host a one-day seminar with the aim of bringing together leading figures in the oil and gas and aviation industries to discuss offshore helicopter safety. The event, which is sponsored by Aker Solutions, is the sixth annual Aviation Seminar organised by Oil & Gas UK and will feature a... Read more

Finance company address for 7 UK helicopters

Finance company address for 7 UK helicopters

17-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com

We have noticed that a total of seven helicopters on the UK Civil Aviation Authority register have last week had a change of address to a finance company.  The seven are:- * Bell 206 – G-CBYX, G-TTMB * Bell 206L – G-MAAX, G-OHHI, G-OLDN * Eurocopter AS355F – G-BSYI, G-ICSG All seven continue to be... Read more

Airops unveils new software ProCharter at EBACE 2011

Airops unveils new software ProCharter at EBACE 2011

16-May-2011Source: Airops

Airops Software Limited, a Gama Group company, will be unveiling its latest aviation management software at Europe’s premier business aviation conference EBACE 2011. ProCharter is a completely rewritten version of the aviation management solution which is used worldwide by aircraft charter and management companies to support their commercial, operational and administrational functions. The software which... Read more

16-May-11 G-GDOV Robinson R44 Chagford, UK

16-May-11 G-GDOV Robinson R44 Chagford, UK

16-May-2011

Two hotel guests were treated for injuries after their helicopter crashed in woods close to Gidleigh Park Hotel.  Helicopter referred to as a two-seater.  Head/neck injuries quoted.  Wrongly reported as  a two-seat helicopter, as it was an R44... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – May 2011

UK AAIB Bulletin – May 2011

15-May-2011Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness.... Read more

Was terrorism coroner right to criticise London’s helicopter EMS provision?

Was terrorism coroner right to criticise London’s helicopter EMS provision?

13-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com

In the last few days, the coroner at a London hearing has been summing up her findings of the inquest into the terrorist attacks in London on 7th July 2005, involving explosions on three underground trains and one of London’s iconic red buses.  The last of nine recommendations states “The Department of Health, the mayor... Read more

Bond Offshore Helicopters register second AW139

Bond Offshore Helicopters register second AW139

13-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com

The second AW139 for Bond Offshore Helicopters is now registered in the UK as G-PERB.  This is the second aircraft for operations on the Southern North Sea for Perenco, and will be based at Norwich.  There are reports of Bond acquiring a total of four AW139s, two leased from Era Helicopters – these first two... Read more

PremiAir debuts at EBACE

PremiAir debuts at EBACE

13-May-2011Source: PremiAir

PremiAir, the UK business aviation company, is making its debut at EBACE in Geneva during 17-19 May, Stand # 843.  Group Managing Director, David McRobert, will be helping the team showcase PremiAir’s private jet and executive helicopter management, charter and maintenance services, now located across six UK bases, with a bolstered team, including newly appointed... Read more

Lt.Gen (Ret.) Dick Applegate appointed Chairman of Elbit Systems UK

Lt.Gen (Ret.) Dick Applegate appointed Chairman of Elbit Systems UK

13-May-2011Source: Elbit Systems

Haifa, Israel, May 12, 2011 – Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: ESLT) announced today that Lieutenant General (Ret.) Dick Applegate has been appointed to serve as Chairman of Elbit Systems UK. General Applegate joins Elbit Systems following a distinguished career with the British Army, including Chief of Materiel (Land) in Defence Equipment and Support... Read more

Mornington Sanford Aviation awarded EASA part 147 approval for R66

Mornington Sanford Aviation awarded EASA part 147 approval for R66

12-May-2011Source: Mornington Sanford Aviation

Mornington Sanford Aviation (Training) Ltd has gained EASA Part 147 (Part 66) Type Training Approval for the Robinson R66 with RR300 engine.  This now completes EASA type training for the Robinson product – R22, R44 with the Lycoming engine, R66 with RR300 engine. Mornington Sanford is the only EASA approved training organisation exclusively training Robinson... Read more

UK: Lothian Helicopters cease trading

UK: Lothian Helicopters cease trading

12-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Lothian Helicopters website has been reduced to the following notice Please note that Lothian Helicopters has gone into administration with effect from 11th May 2011 If you have purchased flights with Lothian Helicopters, please check with your credit card company or PayPal to seek a refund. Lothian were run by Iain Grindlay and opeated two... Read more

NETS UK to go to tender for pediatric EMS helicopter

NETS UK to go to tender for pediatric EMS helicopter

9-May-2011Source: NETS UK

Nets UK is a national charity that over the next few months will be developing the facilities, formerly home to Yorkshire Air Ambulance, as its operating and Clinical Training Centre. The charity is about to tender for its first aircraft which will be specially equipped for children and new-born infants who need to fly to... Read more

UK CAA launches 2011 GA Safety Award

UK CAA launches 2011 GA Safety Award

9-May-2011Source: CAA

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is once again calling for nominations for its annual General Aviation Safety Award. The Award seeks to honour individuals and teams who, through skill and determination, have made a lasting contribution to GA flight safety. Whether it is a ’one off’ incident, or a lifetime of campaigning work, the... Read more

Royal Navy Sqns continue to make significant contribution in Afghanistan

Royal Navy Sqns continue to make significant contribution in Afghanistan

9-May-2011Source: Royal Navy

Since the beginning of the conflict in Afghanistan, the Royal Navy has played a significant role in operations. Today there are three Naval Air Squadrons, two Commando Units and a great number of support personnel based at Camp Bastion. The Sea King Mk 4’s from 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons (NAS) have been heavily... Read more

Three Sea King pilots reach flying milestones in Afghanistan

Three Sea King pilots reach flying milestones in Afghanistan

9-May-2011Source: Royal Navy

Camp Bastion in the heart of the Afghanistan desert is home to thousands of coalition service men and women. Three of them have been serving with Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan), flying Sea King Mk4 helicopters from 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons. Lieutenants Nick Plenty and Ally Macleod and Petty Officer Aircrewman Richard Symonds have... Read more

Budget cuts force Britain’s RAF to reduce VVIP fleet

Budget cuts force Britain’s RAF to reduce VVIP fleet

8-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com

UK’s Royal Air Force has quietly reduced its fleet of VVIP AgustaWestland 109E Powers from three to two from the end of March 2011, apparently a budget cut industry sources tell us.  No indication of this was made when the contract renewed on 1st April (see our story here), but the unexpected move of serial... Read more

Multiflight awarded 5 year Great North Air Ambulance contract

Multiflight awarded 5 year Great North Air Ambulance contract

6-May-2011Source: Multiflight

Multiflight has been awarded a new five-year contract to manage, crew and maintain the helicopters for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS). Multiflight has managed, crewed and maintained the GNAAS helicopters since early 2010 and has supplied the charity with two Dauphin Eurocopter AS 365 N2 helicopters. Steve Borrowdale, Multiflight’s Managing Director, said: “Multiflight... Read more

UK: HH Helicopters expand with addition of A109 and AS355

UK: HH Helicopters expand with addition of A109 and AS355

5-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com

HH Helicopters, based at Cotswold Airport (aka Kemble) in the UK have big expansion plans.  Currently operating R44 and JetRanger types, they have now added an Agusta A109 and are expecting a Eurocopter AS355F2 Twin Squirrel next week.  The addition of these aircraft to the fleet, each expecting to fly 200 hours a year with... Read more

AW139 rolled out in full Bond Offshore colours

AW139 rolled out in full Bond Offshore colours

5-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Bond Offshore Helicopters are due to start operating the AW139 on offshore operations to the Southern North Sea soon.  A key customer in this region of gas fields is Perenco, for which Bond will fly a pair of AW139s, registered G-PERA and PERB picking up the first three letters of oil company’s name. On delivery,... Read more

Mayor of London scuppers aircraft carrier heliport plan

Mayor of London scuppers aircraft carrier heliport plan

5-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com

London’s Evening Standard newspaper has reported that major Boris Johnson’s planning team has been accused of blocking a proposal to turn the retired HMS Ark Royal aircraft carrier into a floating heliport.  They suggest that the consortium behind the bid should not claims that they have the full support of businesses and the Mayor for... Read more

Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance marks 8,000th mission

Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance marks 8,000th mission

5-May-2011Source: Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) has completed its 8,000th mission since its launch in March, 2000. The milestone call-out was to take an 18-month-old burns victim from Shaftesbury to Salisbury District Hospital, which has a specialist burns unit. During 2010, the Air Ambulance attended 788 incidents, 51 per cent of them (403) in Dorset... Read more

UK: Bristol Royal Infirmary heads for $80M redevelopment including helipad

UK: Bristol Royal Infirmary heads for $80M redevelopment including helipad

4-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Bristol Royal Infirmary has reached a new milestone in their redevelopment project, as the Board of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust approved the full business case for the redevelopment.  At the end of March it was announced that the Trust had secured the £70 million loan for the refurbishment by the Department of Health.... Read more

UK: Total Air Management Services S333 sold to Switzerland

UK: Total Air Management Services S333 sold to Switzerland

4-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com

The UK fleet of five Schwiezer 333s has not flown for some time – three have airworthiness expiry dates in 2009, one in 2010 and the last has been de-registered after a post-maintenance accident after the main rotor gearbox had been replaced. The first four, registered G-TAMA, B, C and D were bought by Total... Read more

Tragedy pair suing Bond Offshore Helicopters for £4 Million

Tragedy pair suing Bond Offshore Helicopters for £4 Million

3-May-2011Source: Press & Journal

The partners of two crewmen killed in the April 2009 North Sea helicopter disaster are taking legal action worth more than £4million.  Captain Paul Burnham, 31, and co-pilot Richard Menzies, 24, died along with 14 oil workers when their Super Puma helicopter crashed off Peterhead on its return from BP’s Miller platform.... Read more

World Helicopters acquires Bond Aviation Group for €300m

World Helicopters acquires Bond Aviation Group for €300m

2-May-2011Source: World Helicopters

Bond Aviation Group becomes an integral part of World Helicopters, together with the Inaer Helicopter Company and Australian Helicopters. Creates the world leader in the emergency helicopter services industry. Creates a leading player in the international oil and gas helicopter services industry. World Helicopters will operate ca. 360 aircrafts (rotary and fixed wing). World Helicopters,... Read more

Midlands Air Ambulance seeks past patients for 20th anniversary plans

Midlands Air Ambulance seeks past patients for 20th anniversary plans

2-May-2011Source: Midlands Air Ambulance

Were you or someone you know airlifted by the Air Ambulance back in the 1990’s or early 2000’s? If so, we would like to share your story Midlands Air Ambulance wants to trace people we have rescued in the past to help mark our 20th anniversary this year. The Charity was originally founded as Air... Read more

World’s most famous SAR pilot gets married

World’s most famous SAR pilot gets married

29-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Great Britain’s Prince William gets married today to Catherine Middleton in a ceremony which is expected to be watched on TV by one quarter of the world’s population – one and a half billion viewers.  Staggering numbers.  Very few countries come anywhere near to challenging the Brits in the level of pomp and circumstance that... Read more

UK: Great North Air Ambulance prepares for third N2 Dauphin

UK: Great North Air Ambulance prepares for third N2 Dauphin

29-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Great North Air Ambulance is to add a third Dauphin to their fleet, a move that has been expected for some time but did not previously have a time frame.  The news comes as their maintenance provider, Multiflight at Leeds, registers an N2 Dauphin in the same sequence of registrations.  Great North currently operates G-NHAA... Read more

Airmed 2011 moves static and aerial displays to Dunsfold

Airmed 2011 moves static and aerial displays to Dunsfold

27-Apr-2011Source: Airmed

It has been confirmed that the final day of the Airmed World Congress will now take place at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey rather than as previously advertised at Shoreham Airport. The Aviation Day is planned to include a host of rotary and fixed wing aircraft both on the ground and in the air and... Read more

UK: Capital Air Services reports 2010 is best ever

UK: Capital Air Services reports 2010 is best ever

26-Apr-2011Source: Corporate Jet Investor

Michael Hampton, managing director of Capital Air Services reports that after 2009, an awful year for the company, there has been a spectacular turnaround in 2010 with business increasing by some 60% in 2010.... Read more

UK restructures Defence Equipment and Support organisation

UK restructures Defence Equipment and Support organisation

25-Apr-2011Source: UK MoD

From 3 May 2011, four Chiefs of Materiel will be responsible for delivery of outputs and the Chief of Defence Materiel will head the commercial function within the Department. Since being appointed Chief of Defence Materiel in January, Bernard Gray has been examining the way forward for DE&S and seeking to understand the freedom of manoeuvre... Read more

UK: Sister company of PremiAir Aviation and Battersea HP in administration

UK: Sister company of PremiAir Aviation and Battersea HP in administration

23-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Two banks – Lloyds and Barclays – have called in administrators Ernst & Young on Von Essen Hotels Ltd after the company failed to make interest payments on its £250m debt.  The company owns 26 luxury hotels in UK and France, including some of the finest stately homes and castles in the country including Thornbury... Read more

Prince Harry promoted to Captain and completes first stage of Apache training

Prince Harry promoted to Captain and completes first stage of Apache training

20-Apr-2011Source: Royal Household

Prince Harry has been promoted to Captain within the Army Air Corps in recognition of time service in the Armed Forces. The Prince – now known as Captain Harry Wales in the military – was also awarded his Apache Badge from the Officer in Command of his Squadron on Thursday 14th April, marking the completion... Read more

UK: Legal proceedings filed to close down Sterling Helicopters

UK: Legal proceedings filed to close down Sterling Helicopters

18-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com

In a recent filing in the London Gazette, one of the official journals of record of the British government, British helicopter operator Sterling Helicopters is facing complete closure. Published on Friday 15th April, a document dated Wednesday 13th April indicated that Toby Blackwell Ltd was seeking a petition to wind up (close) the company, claiming... Read more

18-Apr-11 G-REDG Eurocopter AS365N3 Norwich, UK

18-Apr-11 G-REDG Eurocopter AS365N3 Norwich, UK

18-Apr-2011Source: Eurocopter

Engine fire while taxying for take-off to offshore rig.  Fire put out on the ground... Read more

Neighbouring UK EMS operators match extended hours for summer

Neighbouring UK EMS operators match extended hours for summer

16-Apr-2011Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance

People living and working in the East of England will soon benefit from an extended daylight hour Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) thanks to the operational partnership of two air ambulance charities based in the East. The move to cover the extended daylight hours during the summer months will see the East of England Ambulance... Read more

Two more UK police helicopter units join Twitter

Two more UK police helicopter units join Twitter

16-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com

In the last two weeks, two more police helicopter units in the UK have joined Twitter and started to spread news of their work via the successful social media site.  The two are West Midlands – @WMP_Helicopter South Yorkshire – @SYP_AirOps Suoth Yorkshire currently appears to be just an automated feed of the jobs their... Read more

8 months prison for shining laser at UK police helicopter

8 months prison for shining laser at UK police helicopter

16-Apr-2011Source: Kent Police

A 21-year-old Maidstone man has been sentenced to eight months in prison for endangering the Kent and Essex Police helicopter while it was on a task in Maidstone last year. On the evening of 24 June 2010 the police helicopter was carrying out a search in the town centre when someone shining a laser pen in the... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – April 2011

UK AAIB Bulletin – April 2011

15-Apr-2011Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Robinson R44 Raven II, G-ODHB – 5 December 2010 at Staverton Airfield, Gloucestershire Robinson R22 Beta, G-HRBS Correction – 28 September 2010 at Goodwood Schweizer 269C-1, G-LINX Addendum – 22 September 2009 near Stalmine, Lancashire... Read more

UK: Yorkshire Air Ambulance deny maintenance move to Multiflight

UK: Yorkshire Air Ambulance deny maintenance move to Multiflight

14-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Following suggestions in an online forum, HeliHub.com checked with Yorkshire Air Ambulance on the current situation regarding the maintenance contract for their two MD Explorers, registered G-CEMS and G-SASH.  The suggestion has been floated that YAA are to move from their current provider Medical Aviation Services (part of the Specialist Aviation Group) to Multiflight, based... Read more

British International sell two Sikorsky S61s

British International sell two Sikorsky S61s

14-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com

British International have sold two of their Sikorsky S61N helicopters to Vector Aerospace.  The pair are currently at Southampton Docks awaiting shipment across the Atlantic, destination British Columbia for work at Vector’s Vancouver International Airport base.  Both airframes need extensive work to get them airworthy, one having not flown for 10 years. The particular airframes... Read more

Russian Helicopters prepares for London listing

Russian Helicopters prepares for London listing

13-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Russian Helicopters is in line to become the first global Russian defence company to list on the London Stock Exchange, following announcement of  plans to raise $500m (£307m).  The company reports about 8,500 machines in operation and accounts for 13% of the global helicopter fleet. With revenues last year of $2.7bn, the company has yet... Read more

UK: Cleveland Police launch online task tracking

UK: Cleveland Police launch online task tracking

13-Apr-2011Source: Cleveland Police

‘Helicopter Watch’ will be updated daily to give details of what operations the helicopter has been involved in and whereabouts in the Force area it has been. The new helicopter was delivered three months ago and since then has: Attended 550 incidents Airlifted 2 casualties to hospital Assisted in the arrest of 109 people Attended... Read more

British helicopter crews see themselves through enemy sights

British helicopter crews see themselves through enemy sights

13-Apr-2011Source: Royal Navy

Pilots and aircrew from the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) recently got to see their helicopters from an enemy perspective when they were allowed to target aircraft with Taliban weaponry. During two days arranged by the CHF’s Intelligence Cell, the naval airmen were instructed in the use of Man-Portable Air Defence Systems, similar to those faced... Read more

New doubt cast over Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash cause

New doubt cast over Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash cause

13-Apr-2011Source: BBC

Newly discovered Ministry of Defence documents have cast further doubt on the cause of the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994.... Read more

Cambridge Airport opens operations centre for East Anglian Air Ambulance

Cambridge Airport opens operations centre for East Anglian Air Ambulance

12-Apr-2011Source: Cambridge Airport

Cambridge Airport will be bolstering the full time presence of the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) service when a new, dedicated operations centre is officially opened on 19 April 2011.  The “Archie Morson Centre” has been equipped and decorated courtesy of The Marshall Group, and will be at the heart of all EAAA operations in... Read more

Defence Helicopter Flying School hosts Raoul Hafner Memorial Lecture

Defence Helicopter Flying School hosts Raoul Hafner Memorial Lecture

12-Apr-2011Source: RAF

The Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury recently hosted the 13th Annual Raoul Hafner memorial lecture. The lectures are held each year at the north Shropshire airbase on aviation subjects with presentations by specialists across the genre. The lectures are held in memory of the Austrian inventor responsible for developing the modern helicopter, Raoul... Read more

Royal Air Force supports Yorkshire Air Ambulance

Royal Air Force supports Yorkshire Air Ambulance

7-Apr-2011Source: Royal Air Force

RAF Linton-on-Ouse hosted the Yorkshire Air Ambulance recently when they dropped by to thank the station for their on-going support to the life-saving charity. Group Captain Terry Jones, station commander, welcomed the 160 mph MD902 Explorer helicopter and it’s crew, which was flanked in a unique photograph by a Grob Tutor trainer aircraft of 85... Read more

UK: Longmint Aviation on brink of collapse

UK: Longmint Aviation on brink of collapse

7-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Britain’s Longmint Aviation, a group of 5 operators, appears to be very close to ceasing trading.  Longmint includes the following operators Sterling Helicopters – at Norwich Alan Mann Helicopters – at Fairoaks Fast Helicopters – at Shoreham and Thruxton Total Air Management Services – previously at Sheffield and staff redeployed to Sterling/Fast Skydrift – a... Read more

London and Norwegian Air Ambulances collaborate on pre-hospital care R&D

London and Norwegian Air Ambulances collaborate on pre-hospital care R&D

6-Apr-2011Source: London’s Air Ambulance

This agreement formalises the existing strong links between two long established providers of physician-led pre-hospital care. Both organisations are committed leaders in the field of quality improvement in pre-hospital care and place research and development high on their agendas. London’s Air Ambulance has an international reputation for clinical excellence and has trained the majority of... Read more

Essex Air Ambulance moves to new base at Earls Colne

Essex Air Ambulance moves to new base at Earls Colne

5-Apr-2011Source: MD902

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust is delighted to confirm that the Essex Air Ambulance has relocated from Boreham airfield to Earls Colne airfield with a brand new visitor area due to be launched in July 2011. Over the last 12 months, having secured planning consent and an affordable building design, TJ Evers the appointed... Read more

UK: South East Air Support Unit officially launched

UK: South East Air Support Unit officially launched

4-Apr-2011Source: Sussex Police

A collaboration to share air support across the counties of Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire was officially launched Friday at Shoreham Airport. Although the South East Air Support Unit (SEASU) has been operational since October, today marked the start of operations under a single Police Air Operator’s Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority. Under the... Read more

Helicopter Museum Launches children’s comic

Helicopter Museum Launches children’s comic

4-Apr-2011Source: The Helicopter Museum

It was an exciting day today at The Helicopter Museum as the aviation attraction and local charity launched the first issue of it’s new children’s comic. ‘Weston Heli-Heroes’ is the brain child of Museum Educational Assistant, Thomas Kousiounis who not only wrote the story but designed all the artwork and drafted the comic from scratch.... Read more

Sloane Helicopters contract to maintain 32 Sqn A109 Powers extended

Sloane Helicopters contract to maintain 32 Sqn A109 Powers extended

1-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com

HeliHub.com has heard qualifed reports that Sloane Helicopters have had their contract to support the Royal Air Force 32 Squadron A109 Powers extended for a further year to 31st March 2012.  While the contract is officially held by AgustaWestland, the Anglo-Italian manufacturer subcontracts the technical support and training services to UK/Eire distributor Sloane Helicopters. The... Read more

Jara Aviation announces HeliMover MAX for R66 as well as R22, R44

Jara Aviation announces HeliMover MAX for R66 as well as R22, R44

31-Mar-2011Source: Jara Aviation

The HELIMOVER MAX is a natural development of the existing HELIMOVER for Robinson R22, R44 and R66 helicopters.  It offers the same robustness, build quality, design features and operation as the original Helimover, but will move at up to double the speed – approx 7 kph which is a fast walking pace.  This increased speed,... Read more

Lockheed Martin improves Apache support with UK switch

Lockheed Martin improves Apache support with UK switch

30-Mar-2011Source: Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin UK – Ampthill has won a three year contract worth just over £1 million to retrofit and repair complex cable assemblies on the U.K. WAH-64 Apache LONGBOW Fire Control Radar (FCR). Previously, the cable assemblies were refurbished at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, having been shipped from the Special Repair... Read more

Work starts on new Cornwall Air Ambulance base

Work starts on new Cornwall Air Ambulance base

30-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Work has officially started on the new base for the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust.  Lord Lieutenant for Cornwall Lady Mary Holborow, as guest of honour, cut the first piece of turf at the site on Trevithick Downs on the south side of Newquay Cornwall Airport on Monday March 28th.  Lady Mary was joined by charity... Read more

30-Mar-11 G-IACC Sikorsky S92A Scatsa, UK

30-Mar-11 G-IACC Sikorsky S92A Scatsa, UK

30-Mar-2011

The helicopter was ground taxied onto a parking spot and brought to a stop by the commander, who was the pilot flying. He then intended to apply the parking brake but inadvertently raised the collective control lever, which caused the helicopter to become airborne. He released the collective control lever, which was lowered by the... Read more

UK: Sloane Helicopters steams ahead in promoting the R66

UK: Sloane Helicopters steams ahead in promoting the R66

29-Mar-2011Source: Sloane Helicopters

Sloane Helicopters, one of the oldest distributors of Robinson helicopters in the world, has successfully completed a first round of promotional events to launch the Robinson R66 Turbine in the UK and Ireland. More than one hundred people have so far had the opportunity to see and test fly the aircraft, which bears registration N66UK. With the passionate... Read more

Dedicated fundraiser reaches £1 Million landmark for Midlands Air Ambulance

Dedicated fundraiser reaches £1 Million landmark for Midlands Air Ambulance

29-Mar-2011Source: Midlands Air Ambulance

Midlands Air Ambulance has awarded dedicated fundraiser Pat Stokes a very special life-time achievement award. Charity Director Hanna Sebright personally delivered the award last week to say thank you to Pat for dedicating almost two decades of her life to raising more than £1 million for the Charity. Mrs Stokes, of Bridgeford Avenue in Branston,... Read more

Specialist Aviation assists South Georgia Heritage Trust in habitat restoration project

Specialist Aviation assists South Georgia Heritage Trust in habitat restoration project

29-Mar-2011Source: Specialist Aviation Services

UK based operator and support organisation Specialist Aviation Services has assisted South Georgia Heritage Trust in successfully completing the first phase of a 5 year project to eradicate rats which have decimated the island’s unique population of seabirds over recent decades. The project involves dropping special bait across areas of the island by helicopter for... Read more

Acquisition #1 – Bond Aviation Group sold to INAER’s private equity owners

Acquisition #1 – Bond Aviation Group sold to INAER’s private equity owners

28-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Bond Aviation Group, the UK company encompassing the onshore operator Bond Air Service and its sister company Bond Offshore Helicopters, is set to be sold by Stephen and Peter Bond for a figure thought to be around £300 million (approx $480M).  The buyers are the two private equity groups that own Spanish operator INAER, which... Read more

UK: Closure of North Denes HP put on hold

UK: Closure of North Denes HP put on hold

25-Mar-2011Source: EDP24

CHC announced this week that “under current market conditions” the plan to move was not viable at the current time, and would be put on hold.... Read more

PremiAir busy as UK corporate hospitality season starts at Cheltenham

PremiAir busy as UK corporate hospitality season starts at Cheltenham

23-Mar-2011Source: PremiAir

As Long Run raced towards the finish line to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, PremiAir, the award-winning UK-based executive helicopter and corporate jet charter operator, was preparing to wrap up an extremely busy flying schedule last week.  Each aircraft in the company’s executive charter fleet flew every day from locations in the UK and throughout Europe. ... Read more

London’s Air Ambulance reaches 25,000 missions by helicopter and car

London’s Air Ambulance reaches 25,000 missions by helicopter and car

22-Mar-2011Source: London’s Air Ambulance

London’s Air Ambulance, the Charity which runs London’s only air ambulance has today attended its 25,000th mission.  The service, which has been in operation for 23 years, also celebrates a year of being a 24hr operation next month, in April 2011, thanks to the continued support of its sponsors and the London community. London’s Air... Read more

Royal Navy “Black Cats” display team release 2011 schedule

Royal Navy “Black Cats” display team release 2011 schedule

22-Mar-2011Source: Royal Navy

The Royal Navy helicopter display team, the Black Cats, have announced their 2011 season. Following on from a very successful 2010 season, the 2011 programme for RNAS Yeovilton-based team, is shaping up to be just as exciting. Lt Chris Chambers, last year’s No 2 Black Cat Pilot, has assumed the role as the Lead Pilot... Read more

22-Mar-11 G-EEZR Robinson R44 Fairoaks, UK

22-Mar-11 G-EEZR Robinson R44 Fairoaks, UK

22-Mar-2011

The tail rotor contacted a small bush during training involving landings on sloping ground.... Read more

UK scientists demo technology to make brown-out landings safer

UK scientists demo technology to make brown-out landings safer

20-Mar-2011Source: Royal Air Force

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), in conjunction with industry partners, today showcased the development of world leading technology designed to help helicopter pilots land more safely and efficiently in Afghanistan. Scientists from Dstl, part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), have led the technical development of a pioneering approach to the problem of... Read more

Cornwall Air Ambulance awarded £1 million for new base

Cornwall Air Ambulance awarded £1 million for new base

18-Mar-2011Source: Cornwall Air Ambulance

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust has been awarded almost £1 million of ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence investment to build a new base for the charity and its helicopter at Newquay Cornwall Airport. The investment amounts to £949,760 from ERDF Convergence with further costs for the capital project to be matched by reserved charitable funds... Read more

PremiAir appoints Director of Engineering & Maintenance

PremiAir appoints Director of Engineering & Maintenance

16-Mar-2011Source: PremiAir

PremiAir, the award winning UK-based aviation services company, has appointed Mike Preston as Director of Engineering & Maintenance.  The appointment is effective immediately, with Mike taking responsibility for fixed-wing and rotary maintenance at the Group’s Oxford, Biggin Hill and Blackbushe facilities. Mike has more than 35 years’ professional experience in the aircraft maintenance and engineering... Read more

West Yorkshire Police MD Explorer passes 13,000 Hours

West Yorkshire Police MD Explorer passes 13,000 Hours

15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters

[Editor note – This is one in a long series MD Helicopters puts out every time this airframe passes the next 1000 figure – see here] Aircraft Number 078 Surpasses All Other MD Explorers in the Fleet MESA, AZ, March 6, 2011 – MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters,... Read more

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